Centipeda superficially resembles Cotula in the Anthemideae, where it was placed in the treatment in FRPS (76(1): 132-133. 1983), but it differs in the synflorescence and in the tubular corollas of the female florets. K. Bremer and Humphries (Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. London, Bot. 23: 161. 1993) suggested that it be placed in the Astereae, whereas N. G. Walsh (Muelleria 15: 33. 2001), in his revision of the genus, suggested that it might belong to the Astereae or Gnaphalieae. Panero (in Kadereit & C. Jeffrey, Fam. Gen. Vasc. Pl. 8: 399. 2007) placed it in its own subtribe within the Athroismeae on the basis of molecular data.

Ten species: all species in Australia and New Zealand, one species extending to South America, one species extending to Papua New Guinea, and one weedy species extending to Asia and the Pacific Islands, including China.